Hydraulic lift.



W. T. HARRls. HYDRAULIC LIFT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31, 1909. 086,529.

RENEWED JULY 5.1913.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co..wAsHlr`mTo|-1,n.c4

W. T. HARRIS.

HYDRAULIC LIFT. n APPLIGATION FILED MAR. s1, 1909. RBNBWBD JULY 6, 1913.

1,086,529., Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

e. H U

211 Prg f1 @5min W. T. HARRIS. HYDRAULIC LIFT. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. s1, 190s. RENBWED JULY 5, 1913.

1,086,529. Patented Feb. 1o, 1914.

5 SHEETS-*SHEET 3. y r

coLuMmA PLA NosR/\Pn Co.,wAsmNG1-0N. n. c.

W. T. HARRIS.

HYDRAULIC LIFT. APPLICATION FILED MAR.31, 1909. RENEWBD JULY 5,1913. 1,086,529.. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. T. HARRIS.

HYDRAULIC LIFT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. a1, 1909. MNBWHD JULY 5. 191s.

1,086,529. Petented Feb. 10, 1914.

Y 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5. L I v 45 im I 50 4045 6 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM co..\vASm-NGTON. D. C.

WILLIAM T. HARRIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HYDRAULIC LIFT.

nose-snee.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application led 'March 31, 1909, Serial No. 486,993. Renewed July 5, 1913. Serial No. 777,494.

To all cli/0m it may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM T. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at lChicago, in. the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Hydraulic Lifts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic lifts, and refers in its subordinate features more specifically to a balanced lock mechanism for use in conjunction with canals and analogous waterways.

The invention has for its salient objects to provide a mechanism so organized that two groups of lifting plungers-one group for each of two counterpoised devicesane so disposed beneath or relatively to the weights, and are so interconnected by hydraulic columns that uniformity of lifting action over the two areas of the counterpoised weights is secured; to provide a mechanism of the character referred to so organized that the raising of one weight and lowering of the other, and vice versa, is effected by simply shifting the liquid from one set of hydraulic cylinders to the other set of hydraulic cylinders; to provide a mechanism so constructed and organized that any excess of weight pressure brought upon a given locality in one device being supported is distributed with substantial uniformity over the entire area of the counterpoised weight, thus preventing the tilting or uneven descent or elevation of the device; to provide a mechanism so organized and constructed that very large locks or analogous devices may be handled, the system of supports being such that expansion and contraction is provided for and interference with the free and proper operation of the hydraulic lifts obviated; to provide in a system of the character referred 'to means for guiding the weights in their rising and descending movements, independently of the supporting mechanism; to provide in such a system means for guiding the plungers in groups independently of the movement of the weights; to provide a liquid supply system so connected with the hydraulic cylinders that leakage in any part of the system does not interfere with the uniformity of lifting and supporting pressures obtaining within the system; to provide in conjunction with the supporting or counterpoisiug hydraulic system an auxiliary operatinghydraulic system; to provide improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of a lock system embodying the invention whereby inequalities of the water levels within the locks and the adjoining waterways may be eliminated before communication between the two is established; to provide a hydraulic lift system which may be readily organized to handle locks which are raised and lowered comparatively large distances; to provide means for supporting the hydraulic lift plungers at suitable frequent intervals apart throughout the length of the projecting portions of these plungers, yet without interfer-ing with the full stroke operation of the latter; and in general to provide improved details of construction and arrangement in a mechanism of the character referred to.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings Figures l and 2 taken together show a vertical sectional view of a canal lock system equip ned with my balanced hydraulic lifts, the lift in Fig. l being shown in raised and the lift in Fig. 2 in lowered position. Figs, 3 and t taken together show an expo-sed plan view of the hydraulic inter-connections between the cylinders. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner of lowering the water level in the cylinders. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of the lift and associated mechanism. Fig. 7 is a top plan view partly in section and showing other parts in dotted lines of the brake applying mechanism.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the upper level of the canal, 3 the lower level 9 thereof and 2 the intermediate level of the lock. Between the intermediate level and the upper and lower levels is interposed balanced lifts designated Lil and respectively. Each of these lifts closed at either end by a gate 6 provided with a wicket 'l'. The adjacent. ends of the canal are similarly closed by gates 8, 8 provided with wickets 9, 9. The space between the gates 7 and S is drained by a conduit or pipe l0 in which is interposed a cut-off valve ll controlled by an operating rod l2. Each of these lifts is supported by a plurality of groups of plungers, there being a group or series of these plungers at each corner of either lift, and a generally simiilar group supporting the center of the lift.

y Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 A, 14'; B, B, C, C', etc., designate the respective groups of corner plungers, each group consisting ot four plungers designated 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. These plungers will hereinafter be identified by associating them with the letter of their particular group as A1 Eetc. Each of these plungers is mounted in a hydraulic cylinder 13 supported in a cement well 14 as shown more clearly in dotted lines in F ig. 7. These cylinders and associated wells are seatedv in a suitable excavation formed between the concrete piers 15. Preferably the cylinders rest on concrete base supports 16 as shown. The upper end of each cylinder extends into a cast iron bed plate 18 provided with shoulder portions 19 against which the ripper ends of the cylinders abut. Upon each shoulder 19 is mounted an annular socket member 20 Within which is seated a suitable packing' 21 secured in place by a packing ring 22. In order that access may be more readily had to this ring the upper face of the bed plate is cut away as shown at 23, and the ring is locked in position by means of' bolts 24 extending through a flange 25 upon the packing ring.

The plungers 26 are preferably of hollow' tubular form open at their lower ends. Within each plunger is fixedly seated a plug 28 to which is connected the lower end of a strut rod 27, the upper end of which is secured to a bracket 29 carried by a bearing plate 30 hereinafter more particularly described. lt will be noted that the apertures 30', 34 through which the rods extend are of sufiicient diameter to permit of slight lateral movement of the rod in order to compensate for expansion and contraction of the metal parts. 'Vithin the upper end of each plunger 26 is seated a supporting sleeve 31 the lower end of which rests upon the plug 28. ln order to permit the air to escape from the lower end of the plunger, a vent pipe 32 is provided, one end of which entends through the plug 28 and the other through the side of' the plunger as shown at 33. lf desired this vent pipe may be controlled by any suitable valve mechanism (not shown),

Upon the upper end of each group of plungers is supported a cap plate 34 which is confined in position by means of downwardly extending annular fianges which fit over the upper ends of the respective plungers. Upon the bearing plates 30 hereinafter referred to is supported the lifts proper by means of a plurality of l-beams 30. Between each bearing plate 30 and its associated cap 34 is interposed a series ci roller bearings 86 which are confined in posit-ion upon the cap by means of an annular flange 37. lt will be noted that the bearing plates 30 are so mounted as to have limited travel relative to their cap members in order to allow for expansion and contraction ot the various parts. rllhe travel of these bearing plates is `positively limited by means of a downwardly extending flange 3S.

ln order to lock the lift in any position each plunger is provided with a suitable braking mechanism designated as a whole 40. Each brake consists of a pair of semicircular gripping arms or jaws 41, 42 eX- tending around the plunger and pivotally connected to each other as shown at 43. The arms 42 of adjacent brake members are connected to each other by toggle links 44 and the other arms 41 are similarly connected by toggle links 44. rlhese toggle links are in turn connected to a common actuating rod 45 operated by any suitable means such a pneumatic pump 46 supported upon the bed plate 18. rlhe operation of these brakes is .apparent from the description and need not be described in detail.

To guide the plungers in their reciproca-- tory movements, the adjacent groups are provided with a pair of superimposed guide bars 4'? which extend transversely of the lock and are seated at either end in suitable guide ways 4S formed in the sides or the masonry. Each pair of guide bars 4'? is connected together by means of chains 50; and the bars are in turn connected to and supported by tie cap plates 34 by means of chains 51. Each bar is suitably apertured to receive the associated plungers and as the latter are raised upwardly the bars slide in the grooves 48 to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus preventing oscillation of' the plungers as they are lifted out of the cylinders.

The central groups of plungers designated M and N respectively are constructed generally similar to the corner plungers heretof'ore described, except that the cap plate is or may be connected directly to the lir't as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. either side the lift is pro 'ided with a (not shown) which rides in a suitable gui way 49 formed in the masonry. The lif't i accordingly limited against bodily longitudinal movement, and inasmuch as the central plungers are substantially in alinement with the guide ways 49, no allowance need be made for contraction or expansion of the lift at this point. rlhese central plungers, of which there are eight to a group in the present instance, serve as actuating plungers as will hereinaf't r more clearly appear.

Heretot'ore hydraulic locks of this character have been limited to a single central plunger for each lift because it has been impossible in practice to synchronously operate a plurality of plungers. ln other words it the weight was unequally distributed upon the lift one or more plungers would lock or move in aovance of the others and thus throw the lift out of level. Accordingly heretofore the weight carried by locks of this character and the height to which they could be lifted was practically limited. As far as l lrnow, no one has as yet put into successful practical-use an appara tus in which a plurality of hydraulically operated plungers supporting a lift are so controlled and synchronized as to all move at equal speeds as they must in operating a lock chamber of this character.

ln my invention each corner group of cylinders upon either litt is hydraulically interconnected with each corner group of' cylinders upon the opposite lift so that the pressure in said group is distributed equally upon the corresponding` groups of the other lift in each group. The plungers must operate synchronously. Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and Ll, the outer groups of plungers are designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H respectively. There is also shown similar inner groups Af, BQ C, etc. but inasmuch as they are connected in exactly the same manner as the opposite `groups they need not be described in detail. Each of these groups consists of four cylinders, one member of which is connected by a pipe or other conduit to one of the cylinders upon the opposite lifts. The inter-connections will be more readily understood from the following diagram, the cylinders heing inter-connected as follows: A1 to H1; i2 to E2; A3 to G3; A4 to F4; B1 to lll; B2 to @2;133 to E3; B to H4; C1 to G1; C2 to l`2; C3 to H3; CL to Et; D1 to El; D2 to H2; D3 to F3 D4 to G4.

Referring to the above diagram, it will be seen that the cylinders 1, 2, 3 and 4 ot' group A 'for example, are connected to the cylinders 1, 2, 3 and t of groups H, lp, Gr and l? respectively. The cylinders in the other groups are connected in a similar manner. Accordingly the pressures in each pair of inter-connected cylinders will be constant and the plungers associated with these cylinders will obviously operate synchrov nously.

ln order to gua-rd against variance in pressure in the corner cylinders due to leakage or otherwise, they are not only interconnected in the manner just described but they are likewise all connected to a. constantly operating pressure pump. To this end each orl the inter-connecting pipes 54tis provided with a branch pipe connected to common trunlr pipe 56 which communi- Cates with a constantly operating pressure pump 57. llllitliin each oli the branch pipes 55 is interposed an outwardly opening check valve 58. The arrangement is such. that the pressure in all or' the corner cylinders will at all times be uniform; while the check valves will prevent any back flow of water.

lt is sometimes desirable to adjust or lower the normal limit ot movement of the liits. This may be accomplished by lowering the water level in the cylinders. To this end each oit the branch pipes 55 is provided with a lunion 60 to which is connected an exhaust branch pipe 59 leading to comon exhaust 61. Nithin each of the exhaust branches 59 is seated a cut-oil' valve 62 controlled by an operating arm 63 connected to a comon actuating lever G4. The branch pipes 68 hereinafter referred to are connected with the central cylinders which lixewise are provided with an exhaust pipe 59, cut-oit valves 62 and operating arm 63.

Referring now to the centrally disposed groups of cylinders, M, associated with the lift t, each member of this group is provided with branch pipe GG connected to a main pipe 67. The cylinders of group N are similarly provided with branch pipes G6 connected to a main pipe 67 similar to the pipe 67. These main pipes are in turn connected by branch pipes 68 to the supply pipe 5G leading to the constantly operating pressure pump 57. Within each of the branch pipes 68 is interposed a cheek valve G9 for the same purpose as the check valves 58 heretofore described, lt will thus be seen that the central group of cylinders are connected to the pump 57 in substantially the same manner as the corner cylinders.

is will hereinafter appear the lifts are operated by loweringI the water level in the lift which is at that time in lowered position. As a further means of actuating the lifts, however, means are provided for positively shifting the water from either central group of cylinders to the other. Accordingly the main pipes G7, G7 are connected to an actuating pump designated a whole 70. The driving side of the pump cylinder 7e is connected to the adjacent ends ot the main pipes G7, 67 by means of a pair of cross connecting pipes 71, 72 and a union member 73. The intake side or" the cylinder is connected to these main pipes by means of somewhat similar cross connecting pipes 75, 76 and a common branch. pipe 77. lWithin the cross connections 71 and 72 are interposed cut oit' valves G5 66 respectively and the intake branches 75, 76 are provided with similar valves S5, 8G respectively. rlhe pump may be also provided with relie't valves 79 and 8O interposed in cross pipes 81 connecting the branches 7l and 72. These relief valves open in opposite directions and are spring controlled to open at a safety pressure in order to permit the water to circulate through the pump without going out into the system.

Assuming that the constantly operating' pump 57 maintains a pressure or' M* uiteen hundred pounds in the cylinders the driving pump may be setat seventeen hundred pounds pressure and the safety valves at eighteen hundred pounds. rllhese iigures are, of course, only relative and may be varied as desired.

Describing the operation of my invention and assuming` that the lifts are in the position shovvn in Figs. l and 2 the gates 6 and 8 at the upper end of the lower lift are opened to permit a` boat to pass from the lower level of the canal into the lift, Whereupon the gates are closed. rlhe wickets at the outer end of the lift 5 will then be opened to lower the Water level in the lift, the escap- Water being drained off through the conduit l0. The tivo'lifts are then out of balance and accordingly by gravity the upper lift descends and the lower one rises. ln order to overcome any friction and to assist in actuating the lifts the pump 70 may novv he started and the Water from the central cylinders of lift -l transferred to the corresponding cylinders on lift 5. To Operate the pump in this manner the cut-off valves 66 and 85 are closed and the valves 65 and 86 opened. The Water then enters the in-talte side of the pump from the branch pipe 76 and passes out through the branch pipe 7l into the main pipe 67. lWhen the tv-.fo lifts have reached the inter- A.ie-diate level the gates will be opened. and the boat permitted to pass across the intermediate level into the lift Ll. At the same time the Water level in the liftl 5 Will be restored to normal and the lifts may be started in the opposite direction by lowering the iva er level in tne lift el in the manner described. lt may be here stated that inasmuch as Figs. l t0 4 inclusive are dravn to a much reduced scale certain details of mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and 7 have been omitted for the sake of clearness.

lVhile l have herein shown my invention as applied to a canal loch system it is apparent that from the objects of the invention that it is not necessarily limited thereto. rl`lie details of construction may be of course varied without in any manner departing from the principle of operation or the spirit o-f the invention.

l claim as my invention:

l. The combination with a pair of hyraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers suport'ng the corners of said lifts, a centrally isposed plunger for each lift, cylinders for plungers, and symmetrically arranged coraid ydraulic inter-connections between the ers of the respective lifts.

Q. rlhe combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers supporting each lift, a. cylinder for each plunger, the cylinders of one lift being hydraulically inter-connected With t le cylinders of the other lift, and means for positively shifting the Water in one or more of the cylinders of either lift.

8. The combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers as-` socia-ted with each lift, a cylinder for each plunger, hydraulic inter-connections between the cylinders of either lift and the cylinders of the other lift, and means for positively maintaining a uniform pressure in said cylinders.

Ll. rl`he combination with a plurality of lifts, of a series of plungers associated With each lift, cylinders for said plungers, hydraulic inter-connections betiveen the cylinders of one lift and the cylinders of the other lift, means for positively maintaining a uniform pressure in said cylinders, and means for positively transferring` the Water in the cylinders of one lift to corresponding' cylinders on the other lift.

rllhe combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers associated ivith each lift, cylinders for said plungers, hydraulic inter-connections between the cylinders of one lift and the cylinders of the other lift, and bea-ringl supports carried by said plungers upon -which the lifts proper are movahly mounted.

6, The combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers for each lift, cylinders for said plungers, hydraulic inter-connections between the cylinders of one lift and the cylinders of the other lift, and means for simultaneously loitering' the Water level in said cylinders.

7. rl`he combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of plurality of sets of plun- ,a'ers for each lift, a cylinder for each plunger and hydraulic inter-connections etyveen each series of plunge-rs and cylinders on either lift with a corresponding' series of plungers and cylinders on the other lift.

8. rllhe combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of plungers supporting' each corner of each lift, a cylinder for each plunger, and means for interconnecting` each series of plungers on either lift with all of the series of plungers on the other lift- Whereby the plungers on each. lift evenly support the load regardless of the distribution of the latter upon said lift.

9, The combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of plurality of plungers under each corner of either lift, a cylinder for each plunger, and means for interconnecting the plungers at any given corner of either lift 'with the plungers on all of the corners he other lift. lO. The combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a. plurality of separated plungers and cylinders for each lift, and hydraulic inter-connections between the cylinders of one lift and cylinders of the other lift for automatically maintaining the lifts in their respective normal planes regardless of the distribution of the load.

ll. The Combination with a pair of hydraulic lifts, of a plurality of series of plunf gers for each lift, each series on either lift being' spaced apart symmetrically with each of the remaining' series of said lifts, a cylinder associated With each plunger and hydraulic inter-connections between any given series of Cylinders on either lift and certain l0 cylinders on the other lift, whereby the lift maintains its normal horizontal plane regardless of the distribution of the load on' Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

